Bodmond gibbons



NITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

RODMOND GIBBON S, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

KEY-FASTENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 251,041, dated December 20, 1881.

Application filed September 7, 1881. (No model.)

. connection with the key of a door-lock and the doorknob or its equivalent upon a door or door-case.

The object of my invention is, rst, to secure the key in the lock, after locking the door, so that it cannot be turned in or removed from the lock by ordinary burglars tools; and, secondly, to attach a body to the key, in order to prevent its being conveniently carried in the pocket. My 'invention is thus applicable to hotel-keys.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, Figures 1 and 2 represent the invention as more particularly adapted to hotel-keys. Figs. 3, 4, and 5 show modifications of the invention, as hereinafter described.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a represents a ring stamped from or cast of metal, having a shank, c. The loop or handle m ofthe key is loosely attached to or slipped over the shank c, and is prevented from removal therefrom by means of the cross-bar e, which is riveted to the anged end fg ofthe shank c. The safetycatch b is pivoted to the, ring, as shown. After locking the door the ring a is slipped over the knob hof the door and allowed to rest upon the shank k thereof'. The inner edge of the safety-catch b is curved from Z to r, as shown, and the catch is moved upon its pivot so as to rest under the shank k, as seen in Fig. l. The curve of the safety-catch b should be made so that the point l will pass beneath the shank ofthedoor-knob, andthe point 1' so that it will not pass it.

The location of the key-hole is shown by s, the key occupying an inverted position, m representing its handle ori-loop.

The elbowfpermitsthe key to slide into line with the shank c, as shown in Fig. 1. Hence the attachment does not impede the use of the key, but, on the contrary, serves as a long and convenient handle for it.

When the safety-catch I) is in place it is impossible for a burglar, by the use ofa molise77 or other coutrivance, to liftthe attachment far enough to get it off the knob, and lit is seen' that the part of the key-hole which is open is so shielded that it is impossible to get even a y crooked wire, through it so as to'reach the safety-catch. Hence the application of my improvement renders an ordinary mortise-lock a safer fastening than a bolt.

Figs. 3, 4, and 5 represent the invention as applicable to keys which are to be carried on the person. Fig. 3 shows the device constructed partly of wire and partly of sheet metal, with the safety-catch b, but without a sheet-metal cross-bar, e. Fig. 4 shows the safety device constructed entirely of wire, and without the safety-catch. Fig. 5 shows the safety-catch I), consisting of a curved device which is pivoted to the upper part of the ring, and which, when in place, is turned under the shank 7c ot' the doorknob, as shown in full lines.

I am aware that it is a common' practice to use a rod and elbow of wire, hanging it from the shank of the door knob and passing it from the loop of the key-handle to prevent the key from being turned from the opposite side of the door, and I do not claim such a device as my invention; but

I claim- 1. A ring having a shank, elbow, and crosshar, combined with a key whose loop or handle is loosely fitted over said shank, substantially as specified.

2. A ring having a shank, elbow, and crossbar, combined with a pivoted safety-catch and a key whose loop or handle is loosely fitted over said shank, substantially as specilied. RODMOND GIBBONS.

Witnesses:

Jos. T. MURTAGH, JACKSON SERGEANT. 

